speculation

[spek-yuh-ley-shuhn]

noun

the contemplation or consideration of some subject: to engage in speculation on humanity's ultimate destiny.

a single instance or process of consideration.

a conclusion or opinion reached by such contemplation: These speculations are impossible to verify.

conjectural consideration of a matter; conjecture or surmise: a report based on speculation rather than facts.

engagement in business transactions involving considerable risk but offering the chance of large gains, especially trading in commodities, stocks, etc., in the hope of profit from changes in the market price.

a speculative commercial venture or undertaking.

Origin of speculation

1325–75; Middle English speculacioun < Late Latin speculātiōn- (stem of speculātiō) exploration, observation. See speculate, -ion

Related formsan·ti·spec·u·la·tion, noun, adjectivenon·spec·u·la·tion, nouno·ver·spec·u·la·tion, nounpre·spec·u·la·tion, nounsem·i·spec·u·la·tion, noun

Synonyms for speculation

3. supposition, view, theory, hypothesis.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for over-speculation

Historical Examples of over-speculation

Over-speculation had jeopardized him, and he was deep in the "Crdit Mobilier."
Davenport Dunn, Volume 1 (of 2)
Charles James Lever
But we deny that present prices have been the result of over-speculation.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine--Volume 62, No. 386, December, 1847
Various
At the worst he could only be charged with over-speculation.
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. IX.--February, 1851.--Vol. II.
Various
It is common to hear the capitalists remark with a sneer, that such is the inevitable result of over-trade and over-speculation.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine--Volume 62, No. 386, December, 1847
Various
In that year over-speculation produced a panic and agricultural distress was again evident.
A Short History of English Agriculture
W. H. R. Curtler

British Dictionary definitions for over-speculation

speculation

noun

the act or an instance of speculating

a supposition, theory, or opinion arrived at through speculating

investment involving high risk but also the possibility of high profits

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for over-speculation

speculation

late 14c., "contemplation, consideration," from Old French speculation, from Late Latin speculationem (nominative speculatio) "contemplation, observation," from Latin speculatus, past participle of speculari "observe," from specere "to look at, view" (see scope (n.1)). Disparaging sense of "mere conjecture" is recorded from 1570s. Meaning "buying and selling in search of profit from rise and fall of market value" is recorded from 1774; short form spec is attested from 1794.